Upcoming events at LGNC:
“From Superfund to Super Habitat: The Story of Lehigh Gap Nature Center ” — Chad Schwartz and Brian Birchak, LGNC Co-Directors
Nestled within the Kittatinny Ridge between Slatington and Palmerton, Pennsylvania, Lehigh Gap Nature Center is the only environmental education center in the United States created from a Superfund site. Nature Center Co-Directors, Chad Schwartz and Brian Birchak, will discuss how the organization’s success in restoring ecological function and beauty to this once polluted ‘moonscape’ provides unique, place-based opportunities for educating all ages on environmental science, stewardship, and sustainability.
Click Here to register for this event! http://bit.ly/LGNC_Speaker_Series_7
About Our Virtual Speaker Series:
Typically, our Speaker Series events are held in-person, but this year we are going to be doing things a little bit differently. Speakers will be conducting their talks “virtually” through Zoom. Following registration, you will be provided with a link for a Zoom conference, which will give you access to the event at the scheduled date and time.
If you are familiar with and already have Zoom installed on your device, then you are all set. If you have never used Zoom before, no worries! Upon clicking the link, Zoom will automatically install itself and you’ll be ready to go! Zoom is a small, safe application that allows you to participate in video conferencing events such as this one! While a camera and microphone are not essential to view the presentation, they do make interaction with the speaker possible during question and answer sessions. Click here for more information on Zoom: https://zoom.us.
We hope to see virtually!
Ecology Camp
Hybrid Format | June 22-25, 2021
Meet each morning at LGNC! Campers will…
- Enjoy safe, socially-distanced outdoor nature explorations at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Learn about birds, plants, insects, and other living and nonliving things
- Receive a take-home kit with exploration tools and educational materials that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Continue exploring at home! Campers will…
- Return home at 11:30 a.m. to investigate the day’s topic in their own backyard
- Complete self-paced, inquiry-based activities and maintain a nature journal
- Share their discoveries with Nature Center staff and other campers through an end-of-day virtual gathering!
Safety: In light of the pandemic, campers will remain distanced and will be required to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided upon request. Registration will be limited to 10 students.
Who is Eligible: Any student finishing grades 5-7!
Registration Fee: $80 per student. Financial aid is available upon request.
Schedule: The 2021 Ecology Camp will take place June 22-25. Daily schedule:
- 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at LGNC
- Afternoon at home
- 4:00 p.m. on Zoom
For More Information: Click Here!
To Register: Click Here!
Ecology Camp
Hybrid Format | June 22-25, 2021
Meet each morning at LGNC! Campers will…
- Enjoy safe, socially-distanced outdoor nature explorations at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Learn about birds, plants, insects, and other living and nonliving things
- Receive a take-home kit with exploration tools and educational materials that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Continue exploring at home! Campers will…
- Return home at 11:30 a.m. to investigate the day’s topic in their own backyard
- Complete self-paced, inquiry-based activities and maintain a nature journal
- Share their discoveries with Nature Center staff and other campers through an end-of-day virtual gathering!
Safety: In light of the pandemic, campers will remain distanced and will be required to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided upon request. Registration will be limited to 10 students.
Who is Eligible: Any student finishing grades 5-7!
Registration Fee: $80 per student. Financial aid is available upon request.
Schedule: The 2021 Ecology Camp will take place June 22-25. Daily schedule:
- 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at LGNC
- Afternoon at home
- 4:00 p.m. on Zoom
For More Information: Click Here!
To Register: Click Here!
Ecology Camp
Hybrid Format | June 22-25, 2021
Meet each morning at LGNC! Campers will…
- Enjoy safe, socially-distanced outdoor nature explorations at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Learn about birds, plants, insects, and other living and nonliving things
- Receive a take-home kit with exploration tools and educational materials that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Continue exploring at home! Campers will…
- Return home at 11:30 a.m. to investigate the day’s topic in their own backyard
- Complete self-paced, inquiry-based activities and maintain a nature journal
- Share their discoveries with Nature Center staff and other campers through an end-of-day virtual gathering!
Safety: In light of the pandemic, campers will remain distanced and will be required to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided upon request. Registration will be limited to 10 students.
Who is Eligible: Any student finishing grades 5-7!
Registration Fee: $80 per student. Financial aid is available upon request.
Schedule: The 2021 Ecology Camp will take place June 22-25. Daily schedule:
- 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at LGNC
- Afternoon at home
- 4:00 p.m. on Zoom
For More Information: Click Here!
To Register: Click Here!
Ecology Camp
Hybrid Format | June 22-25, 2021
Meet each morning at LGNC! Campers will…
- Enjoy safe, socially-distanced outdoor nature explorations at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Learn about birds, plants, insects, and other living and nonliving things
- Receive a take-home kit with exploration tools and educational materials that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Continue exploring at home! Campers will…
- Return home at 11:30 a.m. to investigate the day’s topic in their own backyard
- Complete self-paced, inquiry-based activities and maintain a nature journal
- Share their discoveries with Nature Center staff and other campers through an end-of-day virtual gathering!
Safety: In light of the pandemic, campers will remain distanced and will be required to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided upon request. Registration will be limited to 10 students.
Who is Eligible: Any student finishing grades 5-7!
Registration Fee: $80 per student. Financial aid is available upon request.
Schedule: The 2021 Ecology Camp will take place June 22-25. Daily schedule:
- 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at LGNC
- Afternoon at home
- 4:00 p.m. on Zoom
For More Information: Click Here!
To Register: Click Here!
Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp
Limited In-person Format | July 13-15, 2021
Meet daily at LGNC!
In order to remain safely distanced, LGNC is offering two, smaller camp sessions this year. Sign up for either the morning (8:30-11:30) or afternoon (1:30-4:30) session.
Campers and their parent/guardian will…
- Enjoy safe, socially-distanced outdoor nature explorations at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge
- Participate in a read-along story time with Nature Center staff
- Learn about birds, plants, insects, and other living and nonliving things
- Receive a take-home kit with exploration tools and educational materials that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Safety: In light of the pandemic, camp attendees will remain distanced and will be required to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided upon request. Registration will be limited to 5 students + parent/guardian per session.
Who is Eligible: Any student finishing grades K-2! All campers must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Registration Fee: $60 per student. Financial aid is available upon request.
Schedule: The 2021 Ecology Camp will take place July 13-15.
- Morning registrants attend 8:30-11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon registrants attend 1:30-4:30 p.m.
For More Information: Click Here!
To Register:
- Morning registrants click here!
- Afternoon registrants click here!
Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp
Limited In-person Format | July 13-15, 2021
Meet daily at LGNC!
In order to remain safely distanced, LGNC is offering two, smaller camp sessions this year. Sign up for either the morning (8:30-11:30) or afternoon (1:30-4:30) session.
Campers and their parent/guardian will…
- Enjoy safe, socially-distanced outdoor nature explorations at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge
- Participate in a read-along story time with Nature Center staff
- Learn about birds, plants, insects, and other living and nonliving things
- Receive a take-home kit with exploration tools and educational materials that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Safety: In light of the pandemic, camp attendees will remain distanced and will be required to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided upon request. Registration will be limited to 5 students + parent/guardian per session.
Who is Eligible: Any student finishing grades K-2! All campers must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Registration Fee: $60 per student. Financial aid is available upon request.
Schedule: The 2021 Ecology Camp will take place July 13-15.
- Morning registrants attend 8:30-11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon registrants attend 1:30-4:30 p.m.
For More Information: Click Here!
To Register:
- Morning registrants click here!
- Afternoon registrants click here!
Budding Naturalist Mini-Camp
Limited In-person Format | July 13-15, 2021
Meet daily at LGNC!
In order to remain safely distanced, LGNC is offering two, smaller camp sessions this year. Sign up for either the morning (8:30-11:30) or afternoon (1:30-4:30) session.
Campers and their parent/guardian will…
- Enjoy safe, socially-distanced outdoor nature explorations at the Lehigh Gap Wildlife Refuge
- Participate in a read-along story time with Nature Center staff
- Learn about birds, plants, insects, and other living and nonliving things
- Receive a take-home kit with exploration tools and educational materials that campers will keep to continue their discoveries!
Safety: In light of the pandemic, camp attendees will remain distanced and will be required to wear a mask at all times. Masks will be provided upon request. Registration will be limited to 5 students + parent/guardian per session.
Who is Eligible: Any student finishing grades K-2! All campers must be accompanied by a parent/guardian.
Registration Fee: $60 per student. Financial aid is available upon request.
Schedule: The 2021 Ecology Camp will take place July 13-15.
- Morning registrants attend 8:30-11:30 a.m.
- Afternoon registrants attend 1:30-4:30 p.m.
For More Information: Click Here!
To Register:
- Morning registrants click here!
- Afternoon registrants click here!
Join us for a discussion of Erik Larson’s Isaac’s Storm!
About the Cabin Fever Book Club:
The Cabin Fever Book Club meets once a month during the fall and winter months to discuss fascinating books on such topics as ecology, environmental history, and environmentalism. The 2021-22 Cabin Fever Book Club meetings will take place from 10:00 a.m. to noon on the dates listed below! Books will be available at the Palmerton and Slatington libraries, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, and on Amazon.com (at a cost). Please contact us at mail@lgnc.org if you have any questions, or if you would like to lead a discussion!
Until we can safely meet in person again, all Book Club meetings will take place on Zoom.
2021-2022 Cabin Fever Book Club Reading List:
December 16, 2021: Have Dog Will Travel by Stephen Kuusisto
January 20, 2022: The Last Viking by Stephen R. Bown
February 17, 2022: Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy
Join us for a discussion of Stephen Kuusisto’s Have Dog Will Travel!
About the Cabin Fever Book Club:
The Cabin Fever Book Club meets once a month during the fall and winter months to discuss fascinating books on such topics as ecology, environmental history, and environmentalism. The 2021-22 Cabin Fever Book Club meetings will take place from 10:00 a.m. to noon on the dates listed below! Books will be available at the Palmerton and Slatington libraries, Lehigh Gap Nature Center, and on Amazon.com (at a cost). Please contact us at mail@lgnc.org if you have any questions, or if you would like to lead a discussion!
Until we can safely meet in person again, all Book Club meetings will take place on Zoom.
2021-2022 Cabin Fever Book Club Reading List:
December 16, 2021: Have Dog Will Travel by Stephen Kuusisto
January 20, 2022: The Last Viking by Stephen R. Bown
February 17, 2022: Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy
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Landscaping for Communities & Wildlife
Get the Latest Resources from our Conservation Landscaping Program:
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News and Current Events:
Speaker Series Program POSTPONED
Michal Kubik Memorial Fund
2020 Nature in Art Virtual Show!
LGNC’s 2020 Nature in Art Virtual Show is now live!
Anita Collins has put together a virtual art show of all winners from past events. To view the show please Click Here!
LGNC Online Learning Series
Introducing a new online video series from LGNC!
While our in-person programs for schools and the community are on hold for the time being, our education team has been busy creating virtual education resources for all to use and enjoy! New videos are now being posted regularly to our YouTube page. In addition to species spotlights, we are putting together a variety of science lessons and virtual tours of the Refuge!
Here is the link to our YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/LGNC_YouTube
Be sure to like our videos and subscribe to our channel!!!
COVID-19
LGNC Osprey House Update (6/11/20)
Everyone is doing their part in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and so are we at LGNC. In light of current guidelines and the situation facing our nation, the Osprey House will remain closed to the public and all in-person programs will be cancelled until further notice.
This is a disappointment and an inconvenience for us all, but it is an important sacrifice to make to prevent matters from getting worse. We will continue to update the public regularly through Facebook, our website, and emails.
It is important to note that our trails will still remain open to the general public. Please be respectful of any temporary trail closures due to ongoing PPL transmission line work. Even when PPL construction is in progress, there are still plenty of trails to explore, and the Appalachian Trail is still accessible from our parking lot!
We want everyone using our trails to have a safe, healthy, and enriching experience. Hike on established trails only. Use of shortcuts and unofficial trails cause maintenance and safety issues. Please maintain a safe distance of 6 feet from other guests on the trails and in the parking lot.
Also, we ask that folks using our trails follow the 7 principles of Leave No Trace found at this link: https://bit.ly/Leave_No_Trace_LGNC. In particular, we ask that you follow the principle regarding “pack in, pack out.” We do not have the capacity to handle the extra trash from a high influx of visitors. Just stash your trash in your backpack, pockets, etc. and take it with you.
Thank you and be safe and stay healthy!
-LGNC Staff
LGNC Restoration Mini Documentary
Dan Kunkle's Retirement and LGNC Transition!
Thanks to Times News Lehighton for their recent article on Dan Kunkle’s tenure as Executive Director of LGNC! While Dan will be retiring at the end of this month, he will be joining the LGNC Board as Director Emeritus. Current staff members Chad Schwartz and Brian Birchak will serve as Co-directors of the Nature Center beginning on January 1, 2020.
Remembering Bill Mineo
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the passing of Bill Mineo, one of LGNC’s founding members. We mourn the loss of this key figure in Lehigh Gap Nature Center’s creation and success. Click here for the Autumn 2017 Wildlife Activist (#81) to read a recent Board member spotlight article on Bill. Also, click here to view Bill’s obituary. Our condolences to the family.